The Senate, Wednesday directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to supply relief materials to the victims of the Taraba and Benue border conflict that resulted in the loss of 30 lives.
It also urged the police to complete the building of barracks that was almost abandoned at the border of the affected towns of Tiv and Jukun for effective policing and, to forestall further occurrence.
This development followed an adopted motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Bwacha representing Taraba south and co-sponsored by senators Barnabas Gemade and Shuaibu Lawal.
In his lead debate, Bwacha said, “The Tiv and Jukuns have been known to have lived together over 10 years in peace.
“Though, they have had some disagreements as usual of agrarian farmers.
“But the insurgents but in the Nigeria parlance called Herdsmen used the situation to perpetrate violence to further engage in their criminal activities like kidnapping among others.
“This sad event which had claimed 30 human lives preceded the Easter celebration”.
In his contribution, Senator Barnabas Gemade representing Benue North-East who supported the motion in its entirety said five mercenaries were arrested during the unfortunate mayhem.
He said, “I rise to support the motion and letters in its entirety.
“For the past eight years, we had lived in peace following serious mediations.
“The military who were able to quell the tragic violence arrested five mercenaries which means the terrorists are taking everything in control to perpetrate crimes.
“When people were engaged in ceremony. Youths who were engaged and dumped by politicians were ready in hands as tools.
“But the arrest of the mercenaries showed that the military are working. They have done appreciable job in the North East and, should do the feat in Benue-Taraba conflict borders”.
